Editorial: Stay safe, be safe, and let others be safe

THE Kadayawan Festival is now at its climax and we have nothing but good wishes for all.

May everyone celebrate responsibly. May we not get too drunk to cause harm to ourselves and to others.

May we not become too boisterous as to cause disturbance to our neighbors and companions.

May we also make it a point to look out for each other as good neighbors and thoughtful family members should be.

It’s the season to celebrate and dance to the beat of the kulintangs and agongs. May we show respect to everyone we meet.

A festival that celebrates nature’s bounty and the diversity in our cultures demands that we all are mindful of everything and everyone around us, not to sow misunderstanding and bad vibes, but the one vibe that creates unity and sense of community.

In the theory of Sense of Community forwarded by David W. McMillan and David M. Chavis of George Peabody College of Vanderbilt University in 1986, they defined this as “a feeling that members have of belonging, a feeling that members matter to one another and to the group, and a shared faith that members' needs will be met through their commitment to be together."

This is actually what we Dabawenyos have had for our city and have thus seen a coexistence even among those whom we may not fully trust but whom we welcome anyway, just keeping our eyes and ears on alert for whatever dubious activities may be going on in our vicinity.

Sooner than not, these same people who come in as strangers appreciate the welcome they get, work first on their own and then as small community members, and settle in as peacemakers themselves.

We may not be perfect, there are still animosities, but all these are contained as the concern for the greater community still managers to prevail.

This is what we should consciously strive to achieve “that shared faith that members” needs will be met through their commitment to be together.

We may not like some people as they first come in, but let us help them settle in and find the sense of security we all get to experience when we watch each other’s back. There is no other time to practice and experience this than a festival that brings in people by the thousands.